MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PUBLOW WITH PENSFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 8th FEBRUARY 2026 IN THE MEMORIAL HALL, PENSFORD
Present: Mr P Baxter, Mr S Filer, Ms S Fluke, Mrs S Grimes (Chairman), Mr S Grimes, Mrs J Gully, Mrs T Jones, Dr L Malt, S Pattimore, Cllr Paul May (Ward Councillor). Mrs H Richardson (Clerk), and 0 Members of Public.
Public Participation: None
The Parish Council received a presentation from Dan Brunton from the Avon Wildlife Trust Beaver Advice and Support Team. There had been many Beaver sightings along the River Avon and River Chew. There have been no sightings yet in the Parish but it is very likely that they will be in the Parish soon. In March they will be carrying out a detailed survey of the River Chew. There are many positive impacts of Beaver activity, but they can cause problems too, Beavers are a protected species and so landowners are encouraged to contact the Beaver Advice and Support Team if they see signs of Beavers on their land. The Parish council will publish more details on their website.
73.1. Apologies for absence: Ms C Dinsdale.
It was reported that Janette Stephenson resigned from the Parish Council. The Parish Council wanted to send their thanks to Janette for many years of service as Councillor and Chairman.
73.2. Declarations of Interest: T Jones (73.4i)
73.3. The Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 12th January 2026 were agreed (with a small correction) as a true and fair record and the Chairman signed them.
73.4. Planning:
a) Applications to consult:
i) 26/00048/CLEU. Nursery Farm, New Road, Pensford: Erection of conservatory / orangery (Certificate of Lawfulness for an Existing Use). The Parish Council resolved to SUPPORT the application
b) Decision Notification:
i) 25/04619/FUL. Hill House, Pensford Hill, Pensford: Erection of front porch, removal of render to front elevation to expose original natural rubblestone walling (Retrospective) PERMIT
ii) 25/04550/FUL. Rising Sun, Church Street, Pensford. Minor external alterations to include addition of new windows, doorway to replace existing window, porch, external metal staircase with railings and enlargement of external landing. PERMIT
73.5. Matters for Discussion
a) The Parish Council agreed to apply to the Ward Councillor for the Empowerment Fund to support the provision of Water Butts and Guttering on the allotments to collect water and help with the watering of allotment plots. They also would ask the Ward Councillor to help with the cost of a new defibrillator for Woollard as the current one is out of warranty.
b) The Parish Council decided not to apply for a grant from the British Heart Foundation for a defibrillator as they wanted the same model as the other Defibrillators in the Parish,
c) The Parish Council approved the IT Policy
d) The Parish Council approved expenditure of up to £50 to print and laminate four A3 Fly tipping Signs.
e) The Parish council rejected a grant application from Crimestoppers for £200 towards marketing of the charity as they could not see the direct benefit to our residents.
f) Councillors agreed the distribution of the Housing Needs Survey to be delivered by 22nd February.
Hillcrest, Old Road as far as the Gospel Hall: Tracy & Stevie
North of the Gospel Hall to the Village Hall East of the A37: Sonia
Whitley Batts: Tracy
Church Street & Salters Brook and to the west of the A37 up to Station Approach: Layla
Station Approach & Belluton: Sue
Woollard, Publow, Blackrock & Parsonage Lane: Steve G
Additional Surveys would be available from the Post Office and to download from the Website.
73.6. Financial Matters
a) The 2026-2027 budget was approved.
b) The Parish Council resolved to set the Precept at £30,000 which represents a 7.45% increase and a cost of £4.16 per month per Band D Property.
c) Financial Report was accepted
d) February payments were approved.
Purpose for Expense – Amount – VAT – Recover
Mrs Helen Richardson (68.5i) – Salary £947.88 £- N/A
HMRC (Month 11) £358.97 £- N/A
Steve Fluke – Emptying Dog Bins £116.67 £- N/A
Frank Scholfield – Footpath Officer £85.00 £- N/A
73.7. The B&NES Ward Councillor reported that the budget had been agreed and a council tax rise of 5% had been agreed. Children’s services was still running with a massive overspend, but they are waiting for a government white paper to address that.
He has had assurances that the crossing at Belluton would be included in the 2026-2027 budget and the speed humps on Old Road will be included the following year.
The NPPF has been changed again to remove the Biodiversity net gain requirement to enable more houses to be built.
The Wall at the bottom of Short Lane has been completed by CURO and he was pleased to see that work had started on treating and repainting the railings on the bridge.
73.8. Reports
a) PCAA: No Update.
b) Village Hall – Looking for a new Chair, Vice Chair & Treasurer.
c) Village Hall Car Park – Working group meeting needs to be rearranged.
d) Repair to War Memorial – Paul has acquired some stone needed to get on with the job.
e) Allotment – Sonia was appointed as allotment rep along side Stevie
f) Clerks Report – circulated.
g) Chairmans report – No report
73.9. Items to carry forward to the next meeting: Recycling defibrillators
73.10. To note Future Meetings
DATE OF NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: Monday 9th March 2026 at 7pm in Pensford Village Hall
The meeting closed at 20.31pm